CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL MACHINES

Electrical machines are devices used in the conversion of mechanical energy

to electrical energy and viceversa; besides that, in the transformation of the
electrical energy with a level of voltage to an electric energy with another
level of voltage by the action of a magnetic field.
1. Static machines
Static machines are devices that allows a conversion of energy
without necessity of the movement of some of its parts.
1.1. Transformer
They are static machines of alternating current whose function
is to transform between the input and output terminals the
voltages and currents keeping the same power.
1.1.1. 1 phase
Simple induction with two inductors.
1.1.2. 3 phase
Overlapped coils

2. Rotating machines
They are electromagnetic mechanical machines, which convert
energy through a rotary movement.
2.1. DC machines
These machines run on direct current.
2.1.1. DC motor
It is a rotary electrical machine that converts DC electrical
energy into mechanical energy.
2.1.1.1. Brush DC motor
As the motor turns the brushes slide over the
commutator segments hence creating the variable
magnetic field in different arms through the
commutator segments attached to the windings. Hence
a dynamic magnetic field is generated in the motor
when a voltage is applied across the brushes.
i. Wound field
It is an induction motor where the rotor windings are
connected through slip rings to external resistances.
a. Self-excited motor
Series field
The stator winding and the rotor winding are
connected in series. It is used in cranes.
Always it should start with load.

Shunt field
The stator and rotor winding are connected
in parallel. It is applied in equipment that
requires varying speed and direction of
 rotation. It is used in drills. It can start
without load.

Compound field (cumulative and differential)

A combination of both configurations is used.
It is used for elevator and motor pumps

ii. Permanent magnetic field

These machines are motor of low power.
2.1.1.2. Brushless DC motor
These motors are designed to switch the voltage in
their windings, without suffering mechanical wear. For
this purpose, they used digital controllers and position
sensors. They are often used in low power applications;
for example, in computer fans.

2.1.2. DC generator
A DC generator is an electrical rotary machine which
produces DC current, it means that it is unidirectional in
contrast to AC generator in which the current flow
direction is reversed periodically. These machines are
used in galvanic treatment plants.

2.2. AC machines
These machines run on alternating current.
2.2.1. Synchronous machines
They are machines whose stator is powered by
alternating current while the rotor has direct power either
through a field winding or by permanent magnets.
2.2.1.1. Alternator
It is a rotary electric machine capable of transforming
mechanical energy into electrical energy. The main
characteristic of this machine is the equality between
electrical frequency and the angular frequency; it
means, the alternator rotates at the speed of the
magnetic field, so that this equality of frequencies is
called synchronism mainly of the rotor and the stator,
both with windings. There are two types of alternators.
i. 1 phase
ii. 3 phase
2.2.1.2. Synchronous motor
 It is a type of alternating current motor in which the
rotation of the shaft is synchronized with the frequency
of the supply current; the period of rotation is exactly
equal to an integer number of AC cycles. There are two
types of synchronous motors.
i. 1 phase
ii. 3 phase
2.2.1.3. Synchronous compensator
It is a polyphase synchronous machine.
2.2.2. Asynchronous machines
Asynchronous machines have a magnetic circuit without
protruding poles, both the stator and the rotor being
slotted, which will be subjected to the action of rotating
magnetic fields that will lead to magnetic losses.
2.2.2.1. Induction motor
It is a type of alternating current motor in which the
electric current of the rotor necessary to produce
torsion is induced by electromagnetic induction of the
magnetic field of the coil of the stator.
i. 1 phase
ii. 3 phase
2.2.2.2. Induction generator

Electrical
machines
Static Rotating
machines machines
DC machines AC machines
Transform Runs on direct Runs on
er current alternating
Transform AC current
circuits with same
power. it is used
Brush DC Brushless Asynchronous
less current and motor DC motor machines
more voltage or Synchronous Magnetic circuit
viceversa Brushes slides make a Motors of low
variable magnetic field machines without
1- 3- power
The stator is
protrunding
poles
phase phase Wound Permanent powered by AC.
Rotor has DC
field magnetic
simpl
field Alternat
Self- Switch voltage in or Synchrono Inductor
motor
Inductor
generator
e Synchrono us
induct Overl excited their winding Rotary
machine that
us motor compensa
tor
ion appe motor transforms
mechanial
AC motor with
syncronized Polyphase
with d energy into
electrical
frequency synchronous
machine
two coils Series field
energy
Rotor widing
induct connected in
series
1 phase 3 phase
1
3 phase
phase
ors
Shunt fields
Rotor winding
connected in
shunt

Compound field
(Cumulative
and
differential)
A combination
of both